Channel Sounding Approach Using Cyclic Zadoff-Chu Sequences for Ultrasound Imaging

This paper introduces a novel approach to enhance the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of ultrasound imaging by incorporating channel estimation techniques commonly utilized in mobile communications into ultrasound image reconstruction. Current ultrasound imaging methods rely on short pulses, resulting in a trade-off between bandwidth, corresponding to resolution, and duration, corresponding to SNR. To address this limitation, the study proposes the adoption of cyclic Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequences. The inherent frequency sweep of the signals allows for the combination of high bandwidth with long signals. Moreover, due to cyclic transmission of the ZC sequences, channel-impulse responses can be computed in the Fourier domain and thus lead to computationally efficient signal processing schemes. By combining a commericial off-the-shelf piezo transmitter with a high fidelity signal conditioning system, the benefits of this approach are demonstrated in terms of significantly improved SNR. Furthermore, the direct implications for ultrasound imaging are demonstrated by demonstrating the increased penetration depth with A-scans, using ZC sequences. Thus, this work presents promising implications for the advancement of ultrasound imaging capabilities in various applications.